Adhesive dispensing system and method

Abstract

A dispenser system for applying multi-component adhesives or like substances to work surfaces in carpeting, roofing and like applications as well as a method of dispensing and applying multi-component adhesives to work surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for dispensing first and second adhesive component fluids comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a dispensing head having a first head passage extending from an upstream first head passage inlet to a downstream first head passage outlet and a second head passage extending from an upstream second head passage inlet to a downstream second head passage outlet, said second head passage not in fluid communication with said first head passage; 
 (b) providing a mixing tip having a mixing tip passage extending from an upstream mixing tip passage inlet to a downstream mixing tip passage outlet, said first head passage outlet and said second head passage outlet in fluid communication with said mixing tip passage inlet; 
 (c) providing a first adhesive component fluid or a second adhesive component fluid or an adhesive formed by mixing said first adhesive component with said second adhesive component in said mixing tip passage; 
 (d) providing pressurized air to said mixing tip passage upstream of said mixing tip passage outlet; and 
 (e) dispensing said first adhesive component fluid or second adhesive component fluid or adhesive from [mixing tip passage from] said mixing tip passage outlet until said first adhesive component no longer remains in said mixing tip passage, said second adhesive component fluid no longer remains in said mixing tip passage or said adhesive no longer remains in said mixing tip passage. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises providing pressurized air [to said mixing tip passage from said first head passage or said second head passage] in a range of 10 to 150 psi. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises [providing pressurized air to said mixing tip passage downstream from said first head passage outlet and said second head passage outlet] flowing said pressurized air from said mixing tip inlet to said mixing tip outlet. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises [providing pressurized air to said mixing tip passage at said mixing tip passage inlet] flowing said pressurized air from said first head passage or said second head passage to said mixing tip outlet. 
     
     
       5. A method for dispensing first and second adhesive component fluids comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a dispensing head having a first head passage extending from an upstream first head passage inlet to a downstream first head passage outlet and a second head passage extending from an upstream second head passage inlet to a downstream second head passage outlet, said second head passage not in fluid communication with said first head passage; 
 (b) providing a mixing tip having a mixing tip passage extending from an upstream mixing tip passage inlet to a downstream mixing tip passage outlet, said first head passage outlet and said second head passage outlet in fluid communication with said mixing tip passage inlet; 
 (c) providing a first adhesive component fluid in said first head passage or providing a second adhesive component fluid in said second head passage or providing at least one of a first adhesive component fluid, a second adhesive component fluid or an adhesive formed by mixing said first adhesive component with said second adhesive component in said mixing tip passage; 
 (d) aerating at least one of said first adhesive component fluid in said first head passage or said second adhesive component fluid in said second head passage or said first adhesive component fluid, said second adhesive component fluid or said adhesive [formed by mixing said first adhesive component with said second adhesive component] in said mixing tip passage; and 
 (e) dispensing said adhesive from said mixing tip passage outlet. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein step (d) aerating comprises [providing pressurized air from said first head passage or said second head passage] flowing pressurized air to said first head passage or said second head passage. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5  wherein step (d) aerating comprises [providing pressurized air to said mixing tip passage from said first head passage outlet or said second head passage outlet] flowing pressurized air downstream from said first head passage outlet or said second head passage outlet. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5  wherein step (d) aerating comprises [providing pressurized air to said mixing tip passage downstream from said first head passage outlet and said second head passage outlet] flowing pressurized air downstream from said mixing tip inlet to said mixing tip outlet. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5  wherein said step (d) aerating comprises regulating a flow of pressurized air with a regulator valve. 
     
     
       10. A method for dispensing first and second adhesive component fluids comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a first adhesive component fluid stored within a first fluid storage container; 
 (b) providing a second adhesive component fluid stored within a second fluid storage container; 
 (c) providing a dispensing head having a first head passage extending from an upstream first head passage inlet to a downstream first head passage outlet and a second head passage extending from an upstream second head passage inlet to a downstream second head passage outlet, said second head passage not in fluid communication with said first head passage; 
 (d) providing a mixing tip having a mixing tip passage extending from an upstream mixing tip passage inlet to a downstream mixing tip passage outlet, said first head passage outlet and said second head passage outlet in fluid communication with said mixing tip passage inlet; 
 (e) flowing said first adhesive component fluid from said first fluid storage container to said first head passage inlet and to said mixing tip passage; 
 (f) flowing said second adhesive component fluid from said second fluid storage container to said second head passage inlet and to said mixing tip passage; 
 (g) mixing a portion of said first adhesive component fluid with said second adhesive component fluid in said to form an adhesive in said mixing tip passage; and 
 (h) aerating at least one of said first adhesive component fluid in said first head passage or said second adhesive component fluid in said second head passage or said adhesive in said mixing tip passage. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  comprising the step of:
 (k) dispensing said adhesive from said mixing tip passage outlet. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  wherein step (h) comprises flowing pressurized air downstream from said first head passage or said second head passage. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  wherein step (h) comprises flowing pressurized air downstream from said first head passage outlet or said second head passage outlet. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10  wherein step (h) comprises flowing pressurized air downstream from said mixing tip inlet. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10  wherein said step (h) aerating comprises regulating a flow of pressurized air with a regulator valve. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  wherein step (k) comprises flowing said flow of pressurized air through said mixing tip passage until said first adhesive component fluid, said second adhesive component fluid or said adhesive no longer remains in said mixing tip passage.